The state of the art academy centre will nurture talent from Shimoga zone, vibrant in its cricket culture, along the same lines as other academy centres set up across Karnataka, a media release from KSCA said.

Speaking after inauguration, Vishwanath said: "The RC-KSCA Academy centre in Shimoga a good development for young boys from Shimoga Zone who will get all the facilities like other centres. They should consider themselves lucky to have these facilities early and good coaches to help them develop well."

"The facilities provided at the Shimoga RC-KSCA Academy centre are international class and will help the boys give off their best to achieve higher honours for Karnataka state and to go even further," Kirmani said.